Company Develops API in Response to Strong Community Interest, Launches Revenue-Sharing and Licensing Models for New and Existing Partners
January 31, 2008
- Mountain View, CA
meebo, the Web’s live interaction platform, today released the meebo rooms API and meebo Network, as well as five launch partners for the new programs – Piczo, Revision3, RockYou, Social Project, and Tagged. The meebo rooms API will enable large-scale implementations of meebo rooms for bigger community sites. The API is geared towards social networks, as well as large media and entertainment sites – substantial growth markets for meebo - to enable live community on their sites in an automated fashion. To monetize these new partnerships, as well as dozens of existing relationships, meebo announced the formation of the meebo Network, a network of premium community, media and entertainment partners with whom meebo will be sharing 50% of the ad revenue derived from meebo rooms. For partners in the meebo Network that prefer an ad-free integration of meebo rooms, a yearly licensing fee option is also available.
According to Nielsen//NetRatings, meebo is the fastest-growing IM destination in the US – ahead of Google Talk (GOOG) and Skype Messenger (EBAY). Combining users of meebo.com and meebo widgets, meebo now estimates its monthly reach at 25 million people.
meebo rooms API
The launch of the meebo rooms API is designed to further accelerate the widespread adoption of meebo rooms. The new API will automate the creation, configuration and monetization of meebo rooms for partners allowing them to integrate rooms into their user registration databases, and content management and publishing systems. For example, social networks can embed a chat room on every “group” page, entertainment companies can have live community groups for each artist or show, and blog platforms can embed a chat room in the “comments” of every post, seamlessly. Previously, partners embedding meebo rooms have integrated and configured them manually, one room at a time. During this period, meebo has seen adoption and usage of meebo rooms widgets grow substantially from the May 2007 launch. In January alone, 18 million unique users visited meebo widgets distributed across the Web by partners and users.
“Today’s API announcement, as well as the launch partners for our ad-supported meebo Network, will bring meebo and our partners closer to the goal of giving people the ability to connect, engage and discuss anything of common interest,” said Martin Green, VP of Business, meebo. “Integration with the meebo API provides a great addition to the tools Social Project brings to publishers to help them add community features to their site,” said Evan Rifkin, CEO, Social Project. “By working with existing Flux accounts meebo helps users engage with one another on the communities they are passionate about.”
meebo Network
The meebo Network will give marquee partners a hassle-free revenue stream for integrating live interaction functionality into their communities and applications. Ad formats will be soon be tested with partners in the meebo Network, to optimize targeting, user experience and creative sizes to develop a unit that sparks viral conversations about marketers and their products. meebo will then run unobtrusive, user-friendly ads inside meebo rooms and share a portion of the revenue with partners.
“meebo is looking forward to collaborating with a new set of partners with larger demands on scale, revenue model and automation,” said Daniel Bernstein, Director of Business Development, meebo. “The meebo rooms API, together with the development of an ad network, gives our partners the best solution around.”
For launch partner Revision3, the integration of synchronous communication between viewers represents a step in the maturation of media consumption on the Web. Fans of the Internet-based television network will be able to simultaneously watch a live loop of Revision3's TV shows, and chat about what they're watching in real time - with viewers around the world.
“By integrating our shows with a live meebo chat room, Revision3 fans can now be part of a real-time, worldwide community that shares the enjoyment of watching our programs,” said Jim Louderback, CEO of Revision3. “Our viewers love our shows, and love to share their passions with like-minded viewers. Whether it's comedy, music, technology, movies or comic books, they not only want to live it, they want to connect with others that are as enthusiastic about these topics as they are. Our partnership with meebo turns watching Revision3 shows into the communal fire pit of the global village.”
For more information on the meebo rooms API and meebo Network, please go to meebo.com/network.
About meebo
meebo is a website for instant messaging. Founded in September 2005, meebo continues to catch on with IMers across the globe. 25 million people use meebo monthly, either at meebo.com, or through meebo rooms on partner sites. meebo’s investors include Sequoia Capital and Draper Fisher Jurvetson. Visit www.meebo.com today to connect with people live on the Web.